Spooky fun found in Folsom Lake region

The region offers a variety of spooky events for families this October in celebration of the Halloween season.
Zittel Farms has been in business since 1976, and as the only farm left in Folsom, they can offer a unique experience to young kids this fall.
“We have animals, a petting zoo, pony rises on the weekends, a small corn maze and hay rides for kids and a pumpkin patch,” said Gail Zittel who owns and operates the farm with her husband Roger. “We are a small family business, we do it all. We are unique and seasonal and we love what we do.”
Zittel said the farm is longtime tradition for many families in the region and she has watched generations come to visit the farm every year.
“People can come and spend a few hours with us, we are a tradition. We are the only living and acting farm left here in Folsom,” Zittel said. “We teach and show kids how things grow and what we do here. We want people to come and enjoy themselves and maybe even buy a pumpkin.”
The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. There is free parking and admission for all ages.
The Folsom Historic District will again be lit with pumpkins this month for the annual family event down Sutter Street.
The Night of 1000 Pumpkins will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, on Sutter Street in Folsom.
“Pumpkins will line Sutter Street and the outdoor amphitheater,” said Stephanie Rodgers, Folsom Historic District Association director.
There will also be performances from Cynthia’s Dance Studio, family friendly movies and a raffle drawing at the outdoor amphitheater.
Pumpkins can be dropped off for the contest from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 200 Wool St., curbside next to the Folsom Chamber of Commerce. Participants will then receive a raffle ticket for every carved pumpkin dropped off, Rodgers said.
The evening also includes trick or treating with merchants in the Historic District from 6 to 8 p.m. and a children’s costume contest on stage in the amphitheater at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will play in the outdoor amphitheater at 7:15 p.m. and a raffle will follow at 7:45 p.m.
The night will end with a showing of “Ghostbusters” at 8:15 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater.
For more information, visit HistoricFolsom.org.
El Dorado Hills will also have a variety of options for families this Halloween with events throughout the month including a parade, a fall festival, a haunted house and a Halloween Spooktacular event on Halloween.
The El Dorado Hills Community Parade at Town Center will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Town Center.
For more information call, (916) 635-2445.
The Fall Festival is from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Town Center. The event will offer family options including a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, train rides, musical entertainment and carnival games.
The family event also offers options for adults including beer tasting.
The festival will benefit the Marshall Foundation for Community Health/Marshall Jr. Volunteer Program.
For more information, visit ElDoradoHillsTownCenter.com.
For a frightening option for a mature audience, the Hands 4 Hope Haunted House will also be at Town Center Friday through Sunday evenings, Oct. 12 through Oct. 31. Hours are from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturdays, and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sundays. On Halloween night, it will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 31.
Tickets are $9 and can be purchased at the door.
To end the month’s festivities, the “Halloween Spooktacular” will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31. The event includes trick-or-treating with merchants and a “Kids and Doggy Costume Contest” at 5:30 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater.
“This October at Town Center is a fun filled month full of ways to enjoy your time with your family and friends while helping local community organizations, hope to see you here,” said Natalie Buerki, El Dorado Hills Town Center marketing director.
Traveling further up Highway 50, Placerville will also offer a Halloween treat.
The “Railroad Earth’s Hangtown Halloween Ball” is from Friday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 28 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville.
The weekend event will feature three complete sets with “Railroad Earth,” along with their musical guests from the bay area including “Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers,” “ALO” and “Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe,” with members of “Slightly Stoopid,” performing a tribute to the “Beastie Boys.”
For more information and tickets, visit hangtownhalloween.com.